NCJ Number
224056
Journal
Homeland Defense Journal Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: 2008 Pages: 26,28,30
Date Published
2008
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses Improvised Infectious Devices (IID), the evolution of the suicide tactic using biological weapons.
Abstract
The next generation of terrorist threat is Personnel-borne Improvised Infectious Devices (PBIID), in which the perpetrator willfully infects him or herself with a highly communicable infectious disease agent, incubates the disease to the infectious state within the perpetrator’s body, and then mingles covertly with unknowing victims, exposing them to the infection. There are numerous infectious diseases capable of causing serious morbidity or mortality among humans; however, only a few of these are actually likely to be employed in a PBIID. A plausible scenario for a PBIID attack would be for a terrorist to infect him/herself with smallpox. Defense against attacks by PBIID falls into three categories: prevention, countermeasures, and mitigation. BioDefense is currently the only company in the world to develop and deploy technology that can detect, neutralize, and destroy a biohazardous substance while maintaining the integrity of the tainted materials. Osiris Therapeutics, an adult stem cell company, is developing a therapy for the lethal effects of acute radiation, and Streetlab is a handheld device that can identify about 1,000 chemicals. The reality is that biosecurity and biodefense programs are very costly and slow to develop and the use of biological weapons by an aggressor could kill millions, disrupt societies, undermine economies, and alter life as is known. Educated and aware citizens, and a public health surveillance network in direct and constant communication with America’s homeland security apparatus, are the best defenses against PBIID. 1 table